A career as a clinical research coordinator allows you to engage in studies on treatments drugs, and diagnostics that have the potential to change people’s lives. This career path can enable you to work in the healthcare sector without being involved with patient care. Starting a career as a clinical research coordinator would place you in the heart of the healthcare industry. You will work with the research team for medical studies. Therefore, you will carry out tasks such as conducting and managing clinical trials, used in curing diseases and immunizations.

Generally, a clinical research coordinator is a healthcare professional who organizes and performs medical research. They also manage clinical trials to test drugs for effectiveness and safety. Additionally, they work closely with the team of clinical research associates they manage.

In this piece, I will give more details about this career path and the steps to take when pursuing a career as a clinical research coordinator.

How to Become a Clinical Research Coordinator

1. Obtain an O’level Result

   An O’level result is an important document required to pursue a career as a clinical research coordinator. You need to have a strong foundation in science subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, English and Mathematics. Therefore, you should have a minimum of credits in your O’level results. This will enable you to have a chance of getting admitted into the university.

2. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree

   You should apply to an accredited university to obtain a bachelor’s degree in health sciences. Additionally, you can obtain a bachelor’s degree in areas such as life science, medical technology or clinical research. This degree will offer practical as well as theoretical curriculum in giving you the foundational knowledge needed to navigate your career.

3. Gain Practical Experience

   You can gain experience through an internship or as a research assistant in a laboratory. This experience will allow you to develop relevant skills and have hands-on experience with real-world situations. Additionally, this experience can be an added advantage to your resume which will make you a potential candidate to employers.

4. Choose an Area of Specialisation

   There are various areas you can specialise in as a clinical research coordinator. You can specialise in areas such as pharmaceutical Research Coordinator, oncology Research Coordinator, life sciences or medical technology. This will enable you to focus your knowledge on a particular niche and build expertise in it.

5. Pursue a Master’s Degree

   You can pursue a master’s degree in a health or life science-related field. A master’s degree can allow you to earn a management or supervisory position. Additionally, you can have the opportunity to have a high earning potential as well as higher research positions. With a master’s degree, you can get knowledge of different areas of speciality of your interest.

6. Obtain Additional Certifications

   After obtaining your education and gaining some experience, you can consider obtaining certificates. You need to obtain additional certifications in clinical research. These additional certificates can serve as an addition to your resume or your portfolio. You can obtain certificates such as Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA), and Clinical Research Coordinator(CCRC).

7. Join a Professional Association

   As a clinical research coordinator, you must become a member of a professional association. This will give you the chance you network and connect with colleagues, sponsors and medical practitioners. Additionally, you can get the opportunity to get research funding opportunities. Furthermore, you can have access to growth opportunities as well as career opportunities.

Types of Clinical Research Coordinators

1. Neurology Research Coordinator

   These research coordinators focus on conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Furthermore, they conduct trials to seek treatments and wellness development for these diseases.

2. Cardiology Research Coordinator

   They focus on diseases related to the heart as well as cardiovascular diseases. Also, they assist in the management of clinical studies comprising procedures such as catheters, heart rate monitors, and medicines.

3. Clinical Trial Coordinator

   They evaluate the efficacy as well as safety of emerging drugs, therapies, or medical technologies. Additionally, they guarantee that studies are carried out by regulations and ethical procedures.

4. Oncology Research Coordinator

   They focus on cancer research. Therefore, they research cancer-related diseases and provide aid to cancer patients.

5. Pediatric Research Coordinator

   They specialise in studies related to children and teenagers. Additionally, they develop treatments for diseases and ailments that affect the well-being of children.

6. Infectious Disease Research Coordinator

   They focus on rising emerging infectious diseases as well as diseases such as hepatitis or HIV/AIDS. They develop antiviral therapies, vaccination examinations or prevention measures.

Universities in Africa to Obtain a Health or Life Science Degree

1. Cairo University, Egypt
2. University of Lagos, Nigeria
3. Ain Shams University, Egypt
4. University of Johannesburg, South Africa
5. Alexandria University, Egypt
6. University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
7. Mansoura University, Egypt
8. University of Cape Town, South Africa
9. Assiut University, Egypt
10. University of Monastir, Tunisia
11. Sohag University, Egypt
12. University of Nigeria, Nigeria
13. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
14. University of Ibadan, Nigeria
15. Assiut University, Egypt
16. Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria
17. University of Carthage, Tunisia
18. University of Pretoria, South Africa
19. Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
20. University of Gondar, Ethiopia
21. University of Ilorin, Nigeria
22. Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
23. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
24. Jimma University, Ethiopia
25. University of Stellenbosch, South Africa
26. University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
27. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
28. University of Annaba, Algeria
29. Hawassa University, Ethiopia
30. Makerere University, Uganda

In Conclusion, pursuing a career as a clinical research coordinator can be a life-changing journey. A clinical research coordinator is one of the most sought-after careers in the healthcare and research industry. However, you need to show a high level of commitment to scale through this career. A career as a clinical research coordinator is one of the most varied fields, as well as a career that is highly regarded all around the world. This career requires you to embrace life-long learning as well as develop your scientific skills.

Good luck!

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